DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION x Office of itd Care Licensing Delaware wine oo De (CERTIFIED MAIL | RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED May 11, 2003, Joseph Wisniewski, Facility Director Bellevue Learning Center S10 Duncan Road ‘Wilmington, DE 19809 Dear Mr. Wisniewski: NOTICE OF INTENT-TO PLACE ON PROBATION ‘This leer isto inform you tha the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) intends to place Bellevue Leaming Center, livense #29078, located at $10) Duncan Road, Wilmington, Delaware 19803, on the entorcement action of probation. The facility's failure to maintain compliance with DELACARE; Regulations for Early Care and Edueation and School-Age Centers has led to this action. This enforcement action af probation is effetve For ane year and is intended to alert you to the importance of compliance and provide you with another opportunity to demonstrate compliance. The following events have heen reviewed, considered, and led to OCCL's decision to issue the «enforcement action of probation: ‘+ During the past three months, the facility was found to have incortect stafF-1o-child ratios on several occasions, lack of supervision when a child was let onthe playground, three sta members using improper discipline with infants as wel s multiple citations involving improper care of infants, + On April 11, 2023, Licensing Specialists Dawa DafTem and Daphne Romaneli investigated 8 complain regarding lack of supervision and telephones not working. This complaint was substantiated for lack of supervision because of video footage viewed showed Child #1 was Teft unsupervised onthe playground for a total of 12 minutes (27), ‘+ Between February 10,2023, and February 16, 2023, the Office of Child Cate Licensing received six complains regarding the care Being provided in the infant classroom. The New Casile County Pole Department (NCCPD) also began an investigation regarding the ‘complaints they received beginning February 15, 2023.OCCL reviewed video footage attheNCCPD with Detective tarat on March 29, 2023, Detective Strat ntiied OCCL on April 10, 2023, that OCCL was permitted to begin thir investigation. (On April 11,2023, Licensing Specialists Dawn Daffern and Daphne Romanelli investigated ‘these complaints, finding they were substantiate for improper discipline, inappropriate care of infans, and safe sleep violations. All taf in the infant room were observed utilizing improper discipline including roughly handling a child, grabbing and carying infants by the ‘weiss, knocking infants over, slapping a infant, spanking, sweeping infants” hands out Fem under them, frightening infants, and utilizing “time-out” on an infant. A staff put infants ‘onto the changing abl roughly (20) In addition to inappropriate care of infants, the care ‘witnessed in the fotage showes all stafP meeting only the very basie needs of the infants, No positive interactions were observed with the ehildren, and no activities were implemented (78). Children were pushed away when they approached staf. Physical care routines such as Feeding, diapering, and sleeping, did not meet DELACARE requitements (73). Some infants were observed only receiving a diaper change twice in an eight-hour or longer petiod of time (1). StaT wer seen throwing food out prior to infants’ bein finished with it, and no infant ‘was held while being fed @botle (72). Safe sleep violations were observed For al infant naps (66). Stalin the infant room were requiring atta of three hous of naptime daily for al infants, whethor they weeesleepy’or nt, Infants who were not sleeping were lft awake in ‘their cib without any interaction (73). Infants were left in other coafining equipment, suchas high chair or jumper, for upto and aver an hour more than once (78), Aaditional concerns cited included-ahe infant room was out of stafF-40-childeatio at east igh times, and StaT #3 was lef alone mulipe times und does not have a DEEDS, {qualification permitting her tobe alone (27) Several instances of lack of supervision were. observed, and all staff were consistently using thee personal cell phones and looking at an {Pad while they were responsible fr supervising te infants (26). Stal were observed ‘hanging multiple children ina row without washing their hands o the children’s hands, and hot sanitizing the diaper changing mat between diaper changes (58). Multiple children were receiving diaper eream ffom the same container, and that container was within the reach of the children (63). Staff were also observed moving Feom diaper changing to preparing food Without washing their hands. A staf member was observed putting soiled clothing into a Plastic bag, and placing it ina laundry basket onthe Noor, accessible to children (77). (On August 25,2022, Licensing Specialists Dawa Daffem and Stephanie Burks conducted 8 Tall compliance review, and the following non-compliances were cited: child files were ‘missing nine ems (30) and staf Files were missing 26 items (40) One child did not have a completed Medication Administration Record (MAR) for medication they were receiving (63), No menu was posted (71, lesson plans were not posted (74), and thee classrooms needed cleaning or repairs, including walls, eabinets, and under a snk (49). One classroom had no hot water (49), igh chars ina classroom and lunch room noeded tobe cleaned (77), and a glass door tothe outdoor area was broken (53)‘+ On May 13,2022, the Office of Child Care Licensing received aselPrepored incident. A sta(T member was terminated for using improper discipline by holding a child down on thee rap mat 20), ‘© On August 23,2024, Licensing Specialist Stephanie Burks conducted fll compliance review, andthe following non-compliances were ited: child les were missing 3 items (30) and staf files were missing 42 items (40). Chemicals were within reach of ehildren (85). the center had insufficient emergency supplies (66), and baseboards and floors needed tobe replaced and cleaned (49) Two children had medication present without an MAR (63). you have additional information to refute the non-compliance citations that could eesult ina change in the determination o issue probation, you may request an administrative hearing within 10 business days of receipt of this letter. The hearing request may be made verbally ori writing, The hearing shall beheld within 30 calendar days ofthe request. To arrange this, contact Licensing Specialist Dawn Daffem or Licensing Supervisor Laure Bailey, Ifyou do not request an sximinisrative hearing within 10 days ofthe receipt ofthis eter, your facility willbe placed on probation, {you plan to obtain egal counsel, you must notify OCCL.. Ifyou inform OCCL. of your attorney's ‘name and contact information atthe time you request a hearing or within 0 business days of making ‘he hearing request the hearing offier will work with OCCL. staff. OCCL's legal advisor. you. and Yur attorney to schedule the hearing ona date and time that convenient to all, There i IO-tay ‘eadline. However. if you supply your atorney's information after 10 business days oF informing ‘OCCL that you wish 6 havea hearing, then your attomey must be available on the hearing date and time scheduled by the hearing officer ‘An administrative hearing proves due process to present information that would support your belie thatthe violations of DELACARE: Regulations for Early Care ane! Education and School-Age Centers cited are not valid. You may submit any relevant factual data, documents, and testimony st this hearing. Subsequent violations of DELACARE Regulations that occur ater ths letter has been issued may be used against the facility during this hearing. The designee forthe Department of education peesies a this heering and makes a recommendation tothe Associate Secretary of Fatly Childhood Suppor (or designee) who wil issue a decision onthe matter based on the Finding of facts and recommendations Write on probation you must remain in continuous compliance with DELACARE Regulations and complete all items set forth in eoretive action plans within the specified times. Inereased supervision of your facility including unannounced vist, will occur to determine compliance. Failure to remain in compliance may lead the Department of Education to sek to extend probation for an additional year, revoke your license, or deny your license application ‘OCCL shares with you the goal of ensuring the safety, health and well-being of children in eae, It isessontial hat you understand and follow applicable DELACARE Regulations so tel we are working together to achieve this goal. Your licensing spesalist is available to meet with you todiscuss your program and to provide technical assistance. Should you have any questions, please ‘contact Licensing Specialist Dawn Date or Licensing Supervisor Laurie Bailey a (302) §92- 5800, Yous aly Elizabeth Vim Director «: Deputy Attorney General Alexander Corbin, Esquire Licensing Supervisor Laurie Bailey icensing Specialist Dawn Daffem Applicant Joseph WisniewskiDEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ‘Oe of Ch Care Ling Apel 28,2023 Joseph Wisniewski Facility Director Bellevue Leawing Center 510 Duncan Road ‘Wilmington, DE 19809 AGREEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING ‘On April 9, 2023, an Apel 28, 2023, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) finalized two ‘complaint repos regarding Belevue Leaming Center, ivense #20978, located t $10 Duncan Roe, \Wiimington, DE, 19809. Both ofthese compli investigations were substantiated with multiple serious noncompliance, lad to OCC having concems regarding te heath and safety of the hidren| receiving care at this aii. ‘Based onthe information contained in both of hese repos, OCC. and Joseph Wisniewski, Facility Birector, have entre nt the following agement ‘hie agreement shall he signed hy al partes 2 “+ Because ofthe serous nature and extensive number of ron-compliances cited in the car of inf, Bellevue Leaming Centr must somply with ne ofthe fllowing by May 26,2023, U ve ily i 0 ng provide care inthe ge 0-12 mont vrei tus opin setae nts eat by ay 26 23 tnd nf cr sal tbe proved by Say Sims or Damar Si pri hen ‘melon by May 25,200, Tin care contin tte iy bt he iy wil o ogee Sy Sizer Danas Sims orovde cars clen worth age of ve walle ened srissemar OCCL wi oor ncraon stow tse alfa {itt chsseons Temas anal Scribe nthe Apel 225 crap il completes gs yi Sad ‘etme wil ese OCC routes. Th ey it i onda oe Sonn iy cece he tae prs no ‘raging atest by May 8,200, and provide tes docanenton of he breton to GCL diy Aer howe pros belong May 22 2023, ‘atone 30min from cero wil os wet fs po oe toned domme wie son CL each ese‘+ Until fuer notice, Bellevue Leaming Center must retain all ecorded video footage fr period of "wo weeks, o fn business day. This ootage must be availabe up request fom ary OCCL stat within ‘one busines iy. As equested by OCCL, the footage must be made saloleo view othe center cron an external rive to be reviewed offsite by OCCL sa. aur to comply with these curios aay sesut in leense suspension or sve ofan intent o revoke the fai’ tense leer, Increased merizeriag wil be conducted to determine compliance By signing his agreement of understanding, you are agreeing to fellow the conditions st foth and Knowingly accept the consequences of fling to comply. ett Miri) fet 29, 2023 Binctr Biased Tae Bee